Continuous butter churn



Nov. 1.2,

C. DOERING CONTINUOUS BUTTER CHURN Filed June 22, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet ll VMW.

uw. 12,I 1935.V c. DoERlNG CONTINUOUS BUTTER CHURN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i 23 /25 nv VEN Tof? Filed June 22, 1952 Patented Nov. l2, 1935 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to a churning device and more particularly to continuous butter churns, although the teachings thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of a simple and effective device for churning dairy products without entailing much labor or requiring interrupted handling in order to render such available for the market.

Numerous types of churning devices have heretofore been proposed, but these have not proven especially adaptable for continuous processing of dairy products which require utmost sanitation and varied processing in order to render such ultimately available for the market. In the case or butter the cream must be handled and churned; thereafter the buttermilk must be Withdrawn and separated from the resulting product and thereafter cleansed. Consequent to cleansing, the butter is usually kneaded or worked into a hornogenecus mass for placement in a tube or for processing through a machine in order to convert from one-quarter pound to one pound. This conversion necessitates frequent handling of the product in its various stages of production, and

this is not conducive to sanitation nor eii'icient Still another object is to provide a novel churning device for dairy products that enables the continuous production without frequent interrupted handling in the conversion thereof into marketable units.

A further object is to provide a novelly constructed churning device which enables the continuous processing of the resulting product to impart improved characteristics thereto.

A still further object is to provide a kneading device in conjunction with a churn for continuous conversion of the raw products into plastic dairy substances.

Still a further object is to provide an improved churning device for the production of dairy produ'cts in a much more ecient manner.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment o f the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view in elevation of a device embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the device shown in 5 Figure 1, parts thereof being broken away to clarify the showing.

Figure 3 is a front view of the kneading device taken substantially along line III-III of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View of the l0 reciprocating device viewed substantially from line IV-IV of Figure l.

Figure 5 is` a sectional view in elevation of a modifying embodiment of the structure disclosed in Figure 1 which is designed for vertical supl5 port and operation. y

'I he structure selected for illustration comprises a base plate I0 of any suitable construction r the support of the tank or container II of substantially cylindrical conguration. The tank 20 or container II is supported by end plates I2 and I3 which constitute a part of the container II to provide standards therefor. It is to be noted that the standards I2 and I3 have normally related flanges l4 bent inwardly to approach each z5 other, they being applied to the base plate Ill to serve as a support for the tank or container II. The container II is slidably mounted, in this instance, on the plate I0 for reasons which will appear more fully hereinafter. To this end, stud 30 bolts I5, in this instance four, extend through the base plate I 0 for registry with longitudinal slots I B provided in the flanges I4. Coiled springs I6 confront the shank of the studs I5, for fastener nuts II engage the threaded extremity of the 35 studs I5 to retain the coiled springs I 6 in frictional contact with the anges I4 to preclude the vertical displacement thereof by affording slidable movement against the resistance of the frictional contact established by the springs I6. For 40 that reason the tank I I may be slidably translated along the base plate I Il Within the limits of the slots I6, and the position thereof is retained by the frictional urge exerted by the springs I6. 45

As shown, the tank II has an interior cylindrical liner I8 which is concentrically arranged to dene an annular chamber I9 for the reception of tempering iiuids introduced through the intake orifice 20 formed along the top region of 50 the tank II. A discharge orifice 2| is formed along the bottom region of the tank II for communication with the chamber I9 thereof, it being provided with a plug 22 detachably associated therewith to enable the discharge of the temper- 55 ing fluid or to afford the continuous circulation thereof as conditions may require or commercial practice may dictate.

The container VII is filled with cream through an intake conduit 23 which projects through the chamber I9 for communication with the interior, there being a closure 24 pivoted thereto for detachable locking engagement therewith by means of the toggle fastener 25. In this manner, the cream may be poured through the conduit 23 which is preferably deposited along the longitudinal top region medial line on the tank II proximate to the forward end thereof. Another conduit 23 extends between the walls of the container III to project therefrom to receive a pipe 21st) that the tank II may be charged withI the cream or other material direct from a tank disposed thereabove or positioned for flow of the material thereto as commercial practice may dictate for any particular installation. A sight port 28 is formed along the top region of the container I I intermediate the extremities thereof, it terminating in a peripheral ange 29 for the reception of a closure frame 33 which is attached thereto. The closure frame 35 receives a transparent shield 3l to enable the interior of the container Il to be viewed without ope-ning any of the conduits 23 and 26 or resortto other indicator expedients. An air vent tube 32 extends through the tempering chamber I8 along the top region of the container I I, it being in longitudinal alignment with the charging conduit 23, the pipe 21,

vand. the indicator port 28. A capV 33 is detachably secured to the air vent 32 to preclude the entrance of any foreign substances; however, the escape of air is permitted responsive to charging the container Il with the material to be churned for conversion into butter or other diary products.

In order to agitate and effect churning movement of the materials confined in the container Il, a shaft 374 is journalled axially through the container II for support in bearings 35 and 3G attached to the end plates I2 and I3. A helical conveyor 31 is fixed to the shaft 34 tooccupy substantially the diametral extent of the container II in order to impart desired movement to the materials with which the container is charged. As sho-wn, the conveyor 31 comprises a plurality of convolutions which are preferably chambered to present a tubular interior 38 for the reception of a tempering fluid circulated therethrough for communication with the interior 33 of the shaft 34. The shaft interior 39 hasV a coupler 45 fixed to one extremity thereof for communication with a water supply pipe or hose 4I whichV charges the shaft 34 as, well as the chamberY interiors 38 of the conveyor convolutions 31. The discharge of the water is effected through the other extremity 42 of the shaft 34 which leads to a trough 43 for conveying the tempering uid to a Waste drain or return such to the pump for re-circulation as conditions may require or deem most practical.

A kneading device for the product which results from the churning of the materials supplied in the container II is provided on the forward end of the shaft 34 just ahead of the conveyor 31,. The kneading device comprises, in this instance, a plurality of convolutions 44 which defines aV helix fixed to the shaft 34 similarly to the convolutions of the conveyor 31, these being of solid construction and having a'plurality of perforations 45 extending through the face of the blades or convolutions 44 to permit the mamass into particles and effect the homogeniza- 5 tion thereof so that the constituents thereof are uniformly blended and distributed.

It is to be noted that the tempering fluid passes through the rearward end portion of the shaft 34 and enters the rst convolution of the 10 conveyor 31 through the aperture '46 which is in communication with the chambered interior thereof. The plug 41 is provided within the shaft 34 so as to preclude the passage of the tempering fluid entirely therethrough. Similarly, the last 15 convolution of the conveyor 31 communicates With the interior 33 of the shaft 34 through the aperture 41 so as to effect the discharge thereof for ultimate passage along the trough 43', there being no circulation of the tempering fluid 20 through the convolutions of the kneading device 44.

The liquid residue that remains after the materials are churned to a substantially solid mass, is drawn oir or discharged through a port 48 25 which extends through the chambered walls of the container II along the bottom region thereof, it being provided with an enlarged peripheral flange 49 for the reception of a sliding gate valve 50 which regulates the flow of the residue from the 30 interior of the container Il to a vat or other receptacle for ultimate use as a by-product. In the case of churning cream which results in butter, the residue is termed buttermilk and such is drained f or collection and ultimate sale on the $5 ward end of the container I I, the helical conveyor 31 together with the working` helix 44, is axially displaceable relative thereto. This is accomplished by means of a lever 5I which Vis pivoted to a'yoke 52 fixed being a stud shaft 53 extending through the yoke 52 for attachment to the Vlever 5I. A lever crank 54 is fixed to the s tud shaft 53 for connection to a link 55 by means o f a pivot 5S. The link Y55 has the other extremity thereof connected to a yoke 51 attached to the forward standingV I3 of the container II by means of fasteners 58. Pivot pins 59 extend through the yoke 51 for attachment to the link extremity 55 thereby op eratively connecting the lever 5I to the container '50 tank Il which is axially displaceableresponsive to the pivotal manipulation thereof. In consequence, the lever 5I may be pivoted in a clockwise direction in order to displace the container II rearwardly relative to the conveyor 31 and 55 its kneading portion 44.

This longitudinal rearward movement of the container II relative to the shaft 34 brings the kneading helix 44 in direct contact with the products resultingV from the churning operation. 70 In fact, the. helix 44 presses thereagainst to force the substance through the apertures 45 provided in the blades thereof, thereby homogenizing and otherwise breaking down the particles to` assume 1 a very smooth and uniform texture. During the 15 to the base plate I0, there 50 displacement of the container relative to the land84 are in meshing engagement with the gears shaft 34, the latter keeps on rotating so as to 18 and 19, will bring the clutch elements 94 and accomplish the end of complete homogeneity. 95 to engage with their corresponding parts 92 Then, too, salt and other substances are incorand 93 fixed for rotation with the shaft 13. By

porated in the container so as to distribute sodoing, the speed of rotation of the shaft 34 5 such uniformly through the churned mass remay be varied responsive to the control of the sponsive to the rotation of the kneading device attendant by manipulating the lever 9|. In 44 in direct contact therewith. This finally dieither event, the shaft 34 will rotate responsive vides the mass into a uniform and velvety conto the motor 10. In order to reciprocate the sistency prior to its discharge through an openshaft 34 relative to the container to impart 10 ing 69 provided in the forward wall 3 of the much more eifective agitation, a cylindrical cam container proximate to the bottom thereof. 96 is fixed to the extension of the shaft 34 proxi- A chute 6| communicates with the discharge mate to the extremity thereof, there being a set opening 60, it being pivoted to a bracket 62 by screw 91 provided therethrough for that purpose. means of a pin 63 for adjustable pivotal move- A cam groove 98 is formed on the surface of the 15 ment. A closure 64 is slidably associated with cylindrical cam 96 so as to guide a cam follower the container for selectedly obstructing the 99 carried by an arm |98 pivotally connected to discharge opening 60, it being arranged for rea bracket by virtue of a pin |02. moval when the chute 6| is gravitated in a coun- The bracket |0| is xed to the extension of ter-clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 1) the shaft 34 so vthat the engagement of the fol- 20 to its operative position for conducting the lower 99 with the cam groove 93 will effect the churned mass to a machine or other device for reciprocal translation of the shaft 34 during and continued processing thereof. As shown, the responsive to the rotation thereof. Another arm closure 64 is guided by vertical brackets 65 for |03 is pivoted to the bracket |9l by means of the vertical movement. A lever 66 is pivoted to the pivot |02, and the extremity thereof is U-shaped 25 forward face I3 of the container as at 61 with for vpivotal translation and engagement with a the closure t4 connected thereto intermediate rod or other complement formed in a web m5 the extremity thereof by means of a pin 68. Conconstituting a part of theV standard 13. By pivotsequently, the closure 64 may be elevated or ing the arm |03 in a counter-clockwise direction lowered responsive to the manipulation of the (viewed from Figure 4) so that the U-shaped ex- 30 free extremity 68 of the lever 69. tremity |04 will engage a stationary part of the In practice, the chute 6| may lead to the hopframe |5 as a result the shaft 34 will be mainper of a print machine for conversion into bricks tained against displacement when the cam folor units of any desired size or configuration. It lower Y99 is removed from its groove 98. is to be noted that when the container is dise In the modified embodiment of the invention, 35 placed relatively to the conveyor 41, this displacethe container is disposed in erect position for ment is guided by the slot I6, and the frictional 4support by the standards I2' and I3. The shaft reaction exerted by the springs I6 on the bolt 34 is vertically journalled in the bearings 35 I to maintain the parts in their slidable adand 36 xed to the ends of the container usted position. In order to rotate the shaft 34, The fresh material such as cream is supplied to 40k an electric motor 10 is xed to the base plate I0 the intake port 23 and drained through the disfor support thereon. The motor 19 has the archarge port 48 for removal to a vat or any other mature thereof provided with a pinion 1| which `storage unit. The indicator port 3| is disposed meshes with a gear 12 carried by a shaft 13.. The through the side wall of the container imshaft 13 is iournalled in bearings carriedby a mediately above another port 21 which is proi5 standard 14 having upstanding confrontingarms vided with a funnel or other suitable hopper con- 15 and 16. The shaft 34 has an extension therestruction toguide the dry materials such as 4salt of journalled in bearings 11 carried by the arms or other constituents added to the churned suband 76 fOr jellmelled SUDlOOlt in parallelism stances. A discharge Yopening 69 is situated with the shaft 13. proximate to the bottom of the container on 50 A pair Of geaIS 78 and 79 are XeCl t0 the eX- the side opposite to the by-product discharge tension of the shaft 34 between the bearing standopening 48', there being a closure 6 provided Y ardS 'l5 and 76, there being Spacer COllalS S0, 8| thereon for controlling the discharge thereand 92 provided on the shaft extension for mainthrough. The conveyor 31 is fixed to the shaft taining the gears 18 and 19 against any possible 34', it being of tubular construction for the pas- 55 displacement. As shown, the gear 18 is larger Sage of the tempering uid supplied therein diameter than the gear 79, and these meSll through from a conduit 4| in communication with complementa] gears which are fixed to a with the top extremity of the shaft 34. The sleeve journalled on the shaft 13. An annular -kneading helix 44 is also fixed to the shaft 34' shoulder '86 is formed on the sleeve 85 to carry `below the conveyor 31', it having the apertures 60` diametrically opposed pins 81 for engagement 45' provided therethrough for the same purpose With e yoke 83 fOlmeCl 011 a bell Clenk 89 DVOted set forth in connection with the embodiment disto the Support 14 as at 90. A lever 9| is anchored closed in Figure 1. The shaft 34 with its auxiltO the Din 93 fOI pivoted movement with the iary parts such as the conveyor 31 and kneading bell crank 39 SO aS t0 displace the Sleeve 85 tO- device 44 is displaced relative to the container 65 gether with the gears 83 and 84 along with the l I in an axial direction by virtue of a worm |95 Shaft 13. Clutch elements 92 and 93 ere Xed fixed to a rod |01 journalled in an inclined posito the shaft 13 for rotation therewith, these being tionin bearings H38 and |09 supported by standpositioned adjacent the standards 15 and 16, mis l2' and I3', The rod |01 has a Wheel H0 respectively, for detachable engagement with provided at the extremity thereof for ready ac- 70 cemplemelltel ClU-tCl'l elements 94 and 95,1eSDeC- cess to rotate the worm |06 which meshes with tively. The clutch elements 94 and 95 constitute aV worm wheel carried by a shaft ||2 jourthe hubs of gears 83 and 84 for rotation therenalled in bearings |3 fixed to a cross member with. Consequently, the displacement of the ||4 extending between the standards |2 and I3. sleeve 95 so that one or the other of the gears 83 A gear 5 is fixed to the stub shaft l2, it mesh- 75 ing with a rack I||V carried by a shaft 34. In

translate the shaft 34 the container II'.

The motor V1|I .top of the container II' which carries the bearn a direction axially of ing bracket 1li for that purpose. The bracket 14 1 has the standards 15 and 16 serving as supports for the Amotor 10 as Well as carrying parallel shafts 13' Aand I l1, the latter serving in a'capacity to the extension of the shaft 34 in the embodiment disclosed in Figure 1. Gears 18 and 19 are fixed to the shaft I I1 and complemental gears E3' and S are fixed to the shaft 13. A beveled pinion IIB is fixed to the extremity of the shaft I|'| to mesh with a'beveled gear H9 fixed tothe shaft 34v so that rotation may be imparted thereto responsive to the motor 10' which has a sprocket chain |29 in meshing engagement with sprockets |2I and |22 fixed to the motor shaft and stub shaft`13. A lever 9| is Yresorted. to for shifting the gears 83 and 84' in much the same manner as in the preceding embodiment to change speeds. Y

Reciprocal movement is imparted to the shaft 34 by means of a rod I2|| which has a coupler I2| at one extremity thereof for journalled connection with a crank |22 fixed for rotation with the shaft ||1. The other extremity of the rod |20 is pivoted to a link |23 pivotally connected to a bracket |24 by means of a pin |25. A bell crank |26 is pivoted tothe bracket |241 with an ear |21 formedI thereon in connection with the link Y|23 through its pivotal connector with theV rod |20 to impart rocking movement thereto. A follower |28 projects throughY a slot formed in the bell crank |26 for slidableV movement along the length thereof, there being a threaded stud |29 provided therein for connection with the follower |28 to adjust and maintain the position thereof relative to the pivot |25. A link |33 is pivotally connected to the follower |28, it terminating in the yoke I3I to receive a pair of links |32 and |33 `which are pivotally connected thereto. The link |32 is connected to a boss |34 formed on a collar .|35`iixed to a collar slidably mounted on the shaft 35. The link |33 is pivoted to an ear |36 formed on the rack I ||5 so that the rocking or oscillatory movement ofthe bell crank |26 will impart reciprocal movement to the shaft 34. The extent of reciprocation is controlled by the threaded stud |29 which regulates the position of the follower |28 Vwith respect to the pivot |25. Y

Various changes may ment of the invention herein Vspecifically described without departing from orV sacrificing any Vof the advantages of the invention as de- VVfined in the appended'claims.

I claim:

l.. In a butter making churn for dairy products, thecombination with a substantially cylindrical container, of means on said container for.

enabling the charging and dischargin'g'of mate- Y rials, a shaft journalledY for rotationin said container, an agitator carried by said shaft and extending for a lesser length than the interior of said container to afford reciprocation `therein for a fractional length of said agitator, means for rotating said'agitator, and means for reciprocating said agitator for a fractional distance of its length during the rotation thereof for'churning in effectingtloe` conversion of liquids into dairy plastics. i

. 2. In a butter making churn for dairy products, the combination with a substantially cylinis, in this instance, supported on be made in the embodi" riais, a shaft journalledfor rotation tainer, an agitator carried Vby said shaft, means enabling the charging and discharging of materials, a shaft journalled for rotation in said container, an agitator carried by said shaft and extending for a lesser length than the interior of said container to afford reciprocation therein for afractional length of said agitator, means for rotating said agitator, and means for displacing said agitator for a fractional distance of its length in an axial direction relative to= said container for churning in effecting the conversion of liquids into dairy plastics.

3. In a butter making churn for dairy products, the combination with' a substantially cylinf dricalcontainer, of means onV said container for enabling the charging and dischargingof materiala'ayshaft journalled for rotation in said Y container, a helical agitator conforming to the interior of said container, said agitator being carried by said shaft andV Vextending for the major portion of said container length, Vand means for rotating said agitator and effecting reciprocation' for a fractional `distance of its length for conversion of liquids into dairy plastics. Y

4. In a butter making churn for dairy products, the combination With a substantially cylindrical container, of means on said container for enabling the charging and discharging of materials, a shaft journalled for rotation in said container, an agitator carried by said shaft, and extending for the major portion of said container, means for rotating said agitator, means for displacing said agitator for a Y its length in an axial direction relative to said fractional distance of container so as to traverse the normally unoccu- 'x pied portion thereof, and means for holding said agitator inthe relatively displaced position thereof.

5. In a butter making churnY for dairy products, the combination with a substantially cylindrical container, of means on said container for enabling the Vcharging and discharging of materials, a shaft journalled lfor rotation in said container, an agitator carried bysaid shaft, meansV for rotating said agitator, a kneading member on the extremity of said agitator, and means for reciprocally displacing said agitator and kneading member for a fractional distance of their length within said container to work the churned plastic dairy product prior to the discharge thereof, said agitator and kneading member extending for a major portion of said container. Y

6. In a butter making churn for dairy products, the combination with a substantially cylindrical container, of means on said container for enabling the charging and discharging of matekneading' member on to extend for a in said con-VV major distance of said container interior to work the churned plastic dairyV product, and means for displacing said agitator4 and kxieading member relative to said Vcontainer for a fractional distance of theirV combined length to` bring said kneadingV member in operative range of thea churned products. y Y Y 7. In a buttenmaking ,churn` for dairy products, the combination with a substantially cylin-i dricalcontainer, of means on saidv container for enabling the charging and dischargingrof V'rriaterials, a shaft journalled for rotation in said container, -a helicalagitatorVV carried by said shaft, i a

helical kneading member fixed to said shaft in end attachment With said agitator, the combined length of said agitator and kneading member extending for substantially the container length, and means for rotating and reciprocating said agitator for a fractional distance of said combined agitator and kneading member length.

8. In a butter making churn for dairy products, the combination with a substantially cylindrical container, of means on said container for enabling the charging and discharging of materials, a shaft journalled vfor rotation in said container, a helical agitator carried by said shaft, a helical kneading member xed to said shaft in end attachment with said agitator to substantially conform in diameter with the interior of said container, means for displacing said agitator relative to said container to bring said kneading member in operative range of the churned products, and means for rotating and reciprocating said agitator and kneading memberfor a fractional distance of their combined length.

9. In a butter making churn for dairy products, the combination with a substantially cylindrical container, of means on said container for enabling the charging and discharging of materials, ashaft journalled for rotation in said container, an agitator carried by said shaft and extending for a greater portion of said container, means for rotating said agitator, means for reciprocating said shaft during the rotation thereof to displace said agitator for a fractional distance of its length, and means for varying the extent of reciprocation of said shaft with said agitator thereon.

10. In a butter making churn for dairy products, the combination with a container, of means on said container for enabling the charging and discharging of materials, a shaft journalled for rotation in said container, a helical agitator carried by said shaft, a helical kneading member having apertures therein fixed to said shaft in end attachment with said agitator, said agitator and kneading member extending for substantially the entire length of said container, means for rotating said agitator, and means for displacing said agitator relative to said container to bring said kneading member in operative range of the churned products.

CHARLES DOERING. 

